I just looked back through my e-mail and I didn't see any discussion of this today.
Comments? You guys holding your breath till you see if this ends up being true? There is also a report on TI that UA has called a press conference for tomorrow involving Ivy Williams. When will UA start wearing gold helmets? bill evans Hartselle, AL [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----------- http://www.al.com/sports/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/html_sta ndard.xsl?/base/sports/10046961191741035.xml NCAA reduces charge 11/02/01 STEVE KIRK News staff writer TUSCALOOSA The NCAA enforcement staff has lessened at least one major charge against the University of Alabama football program, a source familiar with the investigation confirmed Thursday. Meanwhile, interviews with sources familiar with the case indicate that Alabama has offered a self-imposed penalty of no more than 20 scholarship cuts over no more than three years. The self-imposed penalty also includes recruiting restrictions and may include a fine. The NCAA's official letter of inquiry on Sept. 5 leveled 16 charges, including three major charges involving the 1995-97 recruitment of Stevenson's Kenny Smith and the 1999-2000 recruitment of Memphis' Albert Means. Those three charges pertained mostly to the actions of boosters Logan Young, Wendell Smith or Ray Keller. Although the university officially disassociated the boosters in its Oct. 24 written response, it also contested some of the allegations connected with those three charges. That included an argument by Alabama that the NCAA's 5-year statute of limitations had expired in the Smith case. University officials met with the enforcement staff Tuesday at a pre-hearing at Indianapolis, in preparation for a Nov. 17 appearance before the NCAA's Committee on Infractions. Although details were not clear, that meeting led to the enforcement staff reducing the allegations connected with at least one of the charges that stemmed from the Smith or Means recruitment. Alabama's statute of limitations argument in the Smith case appeared more likely to be considered by the infractions committee than by the enforcement staff, because the enforcement staff deemed it appropriate to include in the original charges. Alabama faculty athletics representative Gene Marsh and attorney Stan Murphy would not comment on the matter. But Murphy said that university officials were meeting to determine whether they could make public any information without violating a confidentiality agreement with the NCAA. If so, a statement could be forthcoming. The NCAA will not comment on the case until the committee on infractions announces its findings. That announcement is expected in January. It can choose to either accept Alabama's self-imposed penalties included in the Oct. 24 response or place additional penalties on the program. Meanwhile, the purpose of Tuesday's meeting was for the accuser (the enforcement staff) and defendant (the university) to go over all 16 itemized charges, making clear which ones they agree and disagree on before the hearing. On Tuesday, the enforcement staff decided to make alterations. Several are expected as it prepares its case summary to present to the infractions committee. The case summary will outline both sides' positions on each charge and list whether they agree. The committee will use it as a guide for the hearing. Although that hearing is scheduled for the same day as the annual Alabama-Auburn game at Jordan-Hare Stadium, university officials pushed hard to be included on that docket, because the next committee meeting isn't scheduled until February. University president Andrew Sorensen and Athletics Director Mal Moore will miss the game to be at Indianapolis, along with Marsh, Murphy, university compliance director Marie Robbins and outside attorney Rich Hilliard, a former NCAA investigator from the Ice Miller law firm at Indianapolis. Former Alabama assistant coaches Ronnie Cottrell and Ivy Williams, both accused of unethical conduct in the NCAA's charges, will be represented at the hearing. They are allowed to take part in discussions pertaining to their charges only. The alleged violations occurred during the coaching regimes of Mike DuBose and Gene Stallings, but current Crimson Tide head coach Dennis Franchione will appear before the committee by videotape, telephone, or both. Franchione is expected to talk about the current staff's commitment to following the rules. ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/. To unsubscribe from this list just send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a BLANK subject line and the single word "UNSUBSCRIBE" (without the quotes) in the body or visit http://www.RollTideFan.net
